Top tips, tricks, and keyboard shortcuts for MacBook Pro

As you get started with MacBook Pro, here are some top tips, tricks, and keyboard shortcuts you can try.

Take a screenshot

Press Command + Shift + 5, then use the controls at the bottom of the screen to take a screenshot or record video. After you take a screenshot or video, a thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen. Drag the thumbnail into a document or folder, swipe it to the right to quickly save it, or click it to edit or share.

Take action with Spotlight

You can complete actions and shortcuts—like sending a message—right in the Spotlight window. Press Command-Space bar to open Spotlight, then press Command-3 to narrow your search to just actions. Enter what you’re looking for, or browse through the suggestions, then double-click the action you want.

Use hot corners

With hot corners, you can quickly start actions by moving the pointer to a corner of the screen. Go to System Settings, click Desktop & Dock , then click Hot Corners at the bottom. For each corner you want to use, click the pop-up menu, then choose an option.

Share items with AirDrop

Wirelessly send photos, videos, documents, and more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Click in the menu bar, then click AirDrop to make sure it’s on (it should be a color). Open the item you want to share, click in the toolbar, then click AirDrop.

Note: Both devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and be within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

Mirror your Mac on a TV

You can use AirPlay to mirror content on your Mac to a TV, or use the TV as an additional display. On your Mac, click in the menu bar, click , then select your TV. If asked, enter a four-digit code on your Mac.

Use Center Stage camera

Your MacBook Pro comes with a 12MP Center Stage camera, which can help keep you and anyone else with you in the frame while you use video apps like FaceTime. Go to an app that captures video, such as FaceTime. Click in the menu bar, then click Center Stage.

Find your files

Items you download from the internet are usually saved in the Downloads folder, which can be found on the right side of the Dock. To find where other files are located, open a Finder window. In the menu bar, choose View > Show Path Bar. The file’s location appears at the bottom of the Finder window.

Add folders to Favorites

You can add folders—like Music or Pictures—to the Favorites section of the Finder. In a Finder window, drag the folder below Favorites in the sidebar.

Customize your display

You can use the Preset menu in Display settings to optimize display characteristics and viewing conditions for specific media workflows. Go to System Settings, then click Displays . Click the Preset pop-up menu, then choose an option.

Use Universal Clipboard

With Universal Clipboard, you can copy content such as text, images, photos, and videos on one Apple device, then paste the content on another Apple device when signed in to the same Apple Account. On one device, copy the item as you normally would, then press Command-V to paste it on your Mac.

Keyboard shortcuts

You can press key combinations to do things on your Mac that you’d normally do with a trackpad, mouse, or other device. Here’s a list of commonly used keyboard shortcuts.

Note: Keyboard shortcuts in apps may vary depending on the language and keyboard layout you’re using on your Mac. If the shortcuts below don’t work as you expect, look in the app menus in the menu bar to see the correct shortcuts. You can also use the keyboard viewer to see your current keyboard layout, known as an input source. See Use the keyboard viewer on Mac.

Shortcut	Description
Command + X	Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.
Command + C	Copy the selected item to the Clipboard.
Command + V	Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app.
Command + Z	Undo the previous command. Press Command-Shift-Z to redo.
Command + A	Select all items.
Command + F	Open a Find window, or find items in a document.
Command + G	Find the next occurrence of the item you’re searching for. Press Command-Shift-G to find the previous occurrence.
Command + H	Hide the windows of the front app. Press Command-Option-H to view the front app but hide all other apps.
Command + M	Minimize the front window to the Dock. Press Command-Option-M to minimize all windows of the front app.
Command + N	Open a new document or window.
Command + O	Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open.
Command + P	Print the current document.
Command + S	Save the current document.
Command + W	Close the front window. Press Command-Option-W to close all windows of the app.
Command + Q	Quit the current app.
Command + Option + Esc	Choose an app to Force Quit.
Command + Tab	Switch to the next most recently used app among your open apps.

Want to learn more?

For more information on how to take a screenshot or screen recording, see Take screenshots or screen recordings.
To learn how to use Spotlight search results and taking actions in the Spotlight window, see Search for anything with Spotlight and Take actions and shortcuts in Spotlight.
To stream content to and from your Mac with AirPlay, see Stream video and audio with AirPlay. To learn more about Continuity features, like Universal Clipboard, check out Use Continuity to work across Apple devices.
For more information about the different things you can do with your 12MP Center Stage Camera, see Use the camera on Mac and Use Desk View.
To learn more about available display presets, see Use the Preset menu in Displays settings.
For more keyboard shortcuts, see the Apple Support article Mac keyboard shortcuts.

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